Abstract
This study examined the 7-day prevalence of low-back pain (LBP; i.e., pain within the preceding week
of the survey) and identified associated factors, including working posture, for a population of fishing
net assembly workers. LBP is a serious problem in manual work with high prevalence and affects
worker absenteeism. A cross-sectional survey study was conducted among textile fish net industrial
workers using a structured questionnaire (hand delivered by researchers and independently completed
by workers). The 7-day prevalence of LBP in this study was 68.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 65 to
72%). Work factors significantly related to LBP included prolonged standing and walking. Workers 35
years old or greater were significantly more likely to experience LBP within the past 7 days preceding the
survey than were those 34 years old or less (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj] = 4.9; 95% CI: 2.4 to 10.3; p =
.0001). Other significant factors associated with LBP included posture position, specifically stooping
(ORadj = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.0 to 2.3; p = .033), lifting (ORadj = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1 to 2.4; p = .025), and
high concentration jobs (ORadj = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.3 to 2.7; p = .001), respectively. LBP among textile
fish net workers is a serious problem meriting ergonomic evaluation and design of control measures
for reducing worker exposure to risk factors. Work characteristics were more significantly associated
with LBP than were individual characteristics. Factories need to consider adjusting work conditions to
prevent worker low-back injuries. C 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Keywords: Low-back pain (LBP); Ergonomic risk factors; Individual differences; Fishing net
manufacturing